Hiking

The Sherpa Steps

The Sherpa Steps are a stone staircase consisting of approx. 1300 steps (The stairs will be completed in spring 2019). The staircase starts in Fløyvegen (85 meters above sea level) and end on the plateau below the Cable Car upper station (Fjellstua, 421 meters above sea level). The staircase is called «The Sherpa Steps» because there are Sherpas from Nepal – specialists in building stairs and paths in mountain areas – built it.

NOTE: When you walk up the Sherpa steps, use the steps and not the side terrain. The plants bind the soil, and so by protecting the plants, we prevent erosion, and the staircase will remain steady for many years. Besides, it becomes nicer around the stairs if the stairs encloses the vegetation.

How to get to the start of the Sherpa Steps

By car: If you use a car, you can park for free at the municipal parking lot at Elvestrand Cemetery, past Tromsø Lodge & Camping and TUIL arena in Tromsdalen. From here you walk approx. 1.6 km via hiking trails and through residential areas to the start of the path in Fløyvegen. The trail is partially marked, but you may want to bring this map with you to the Sherpa Steps: MAP

By bus: There are several possibilities if you arrive by bus. Bus no. 20, 24 or 28 drives over the Tromsø bridge, towards the Arctic Cathedral. From here you follow the green trip signs marked «Fløya via aksla» or «Sherpatrappa». You can take bus no. 27 to Eurospar or The Cable Car, or bus no. 26 to Fløyvegen. From the bus stops in Fløyvegen and by the Cable Car it takes you barely 5 minutes to go to the start of the Sherpa Steps.

By bicycle: By bicycle, it takes you 10-12 minutes from the city center to the start of the Sherpa Steps.

Fløya (671 meters above sea level)

Fløya is a great hike that gives a fantastic view of Tromsø and the surrounding islands. The trip up to Fløya is suitable for both children and adults. If you want to jog, it’s a great trip to walk / jog up the steep parts and then jog when it flattens out.There are several possible starting points for your way to Fløya. We recommend you to either go by the Sherpa Steps on the north side, or the somewhat longer Dalberg path in the south. If you want an easier start to the trip, we recommend taking the Cable Car to Storsteinen. If you go from the Cable Car upper station you will see the marked path upwards.

Bønntuva (776 meters above sea level)

If you continue your trip from Fløya and into the valley, you will end up at Bønntuva. From Bønntuva you have a great view towards Djupdalen in the west, and backwards towards Rødryggen.

Sollidalsaksla (799 meters above sea level)

The trip from Fjellstua, via Fløya and Bønntuva may well end up at Sollidalsaksla – with one of Tromsø Mainland’s finest paths all the way up. At the top there are three stone guards at a few hundred meters apart. You should visit the one in the middle, which was set up in 1945 in memory of the outdoor enthusiast Lauritz Larssen. The view from the top is spectacular ; with Ramfjorden, large parts of Malangen, boat traffic in Rystraumen, much of Kvaløya as well as parts of Tromsøya and Tromsdalstinden.

Tromsdalstinden (1238 meters above sea level)

Tromsdalstinden is Tromsø’s highest mountain, and is well visited both in summer and winter. If you go through the Fjellheisen, you first go to Fløya, then Bønntuva, and then go down to Djupdalen. Furthermore, the path goes up the Aschenberg Hill up to Rødryggen, and onto the route via Salen. Then follow the well-marked path up the winter route to Tromsdalstinden. The Tromsdalstind is one of the few peaks in the region that is winter marked. The marking was carried out in 1973, with 6 iron stakes indicating the square on the solid mountain from Salen and up to the top.The trip can be demanding, and good footwear, extra clothes and food in the backpack are recommended. At the top there may be snowdrifts even in the summer. Be careful and stay within the edges.Tromsdalstinden is a peak with a lot of symbolism. The stone guard at the top is a 1st order guard from the Norwegian Mapping Authority’s survey system and has been recommended for conservation. The Sami people consider Tromsdalstinden as a sacred mountain; a mountain one should show great respect.